Fashion In The 1800's

Fashion can be interpreted in many different ways; fashion is an art form that conveys expression. For many years, fashion has developed and changed drastically to appeal to flocking consumers; in fact, from time periods before the 1800’s till now, women played a big role in consuming, producing, and the transitions in fashion. Previously, women had been considered only housewives, catering to the needs of their children, cleaning, and maintaining their homes. They were not able to pursue roles in the labor force as it was unacceptable in society. However, there is a perpetual pattern of the change in fashion as women gained more rights and pushed against social expectations. In a sense, women became bold and fearless. The 1920’s along with

It was an introduction to power driven machinery, that ultimately changed the way people lived. This transition included going from hand production methods to the development of machine tools and the rise of the factory system. Women sought independence by working in these factories, ultimately giving them the motivation to break free from societal expectations. As they typically worked long hours and made only three dollars a week, their pay exceeded that of any farm or household woman (Dublin). Textiles, were the dominant industry of the Industrial Revolution and such methods are still used today in the modern age. This industry focused on transforming raw material such as natural and chemical fibers into consumer end goods (“Sustainability of Textiles”). A woman’s restlessness to seek this job opportunity led to successful developments and a large consumer demand in new fashion products. Together, a woman’s effort and new machinery tools caused for mass production, a significantly efficient method in the textile industry. The Industrial Revolution was the start for women to seek independence; their breakaway from social expectations allowed them to construct the basics of manufacturing processes in which progressively changed women’s fashion and culture in

Influencer Elias Howe, revolutionized basic wear with enhanced detailing and introduced new pieces such as hats, gloves, and accessories. As a way to lure the public's attention, Howe held a sewing race against five seamstresses. His machine was the fastest. Because of this, capitalists invested in his newly developed machine, hired cheap stitchers who were primarily women, and would make a large profit (MacDonald). Undoubtedly, this led to major competition between manufacturing companies who sold clothing. Thus, with profits so high and materials varying in price and color, producers and working women enhanced clothing with decorations to outcompete other businesses. Such enhancements included ruffles, pleats, top stitching, lace, ribbon, thick and heavy skirts. One of the staple designs for women during the industrial revolution were blouses in which the “sleeves had broadened at the elbow, and were filled in with lace or embroidered undersleeves ; they were called "pagoda," a many- tiered building, which added to the pyramidal effect of the silhouette. They were often trimmed with ruffles to correspond with the skirt, and some were ruffled or puffed from shoulder to wrist. The expense of these gowns, even if made of cheap material, such as gauze or tarlatan, was great ; they could be worn but once, and it often took 1,100 yards to make a gown” (“Fashion During the Industrial